Question Regarding DanielM

[kama_s]

I don't venture down on CS often, because truthfully, I am a little intimidated by the vast amount of knowledge one needs to have to be able to buy a quality coloured gem. My first piece was a beautiful Barry Bridgestock umbalite garnet that I bought from TL - I set that in a LOGR setting and am SO in love with it.

It's time for another piece. But again, I feel overwhelmed and don't want to spend too much unless I am 100% sure of my decision (which I'm not). I eyed some of Bob Kast's stones, but they are generally too small as I'd like something 7mm and above.

I love the DanielM sliding halo pendant, but I want to know whether I should have him set one of his own stones in the setting, or if it is necessary to send him my own? Essentially, has anyone ever bought a stone directly from him? If so, were you happy with the cut and colour, or would you rather have sourced your own stone?

If you have any other suggestions or recommendations, I am all ears. As for colour, I am looking for something in the red family (rhodolite maybe?) or a deep purple (amethyst). I would like to put them in some sort of a diamond halo.

Thank you for reading this

 

[S&I]

Hi kama_s, I have used Dan's stones for all of my projects with him so far. Mostly because I don't have any of my own loose stones to set, since I'm still learning (a lot) from everyone here in CS, and haven't purchased my first colored stone on my own just yet.

Caren did tell me that Stuller is one of their go-to companies for purchasing gemstones because they are fast and have a wide variety of colors/shapes/sizes/etc. But they also have 4-5 other vendors that she didn't name, as well as going to local gem shows to get their stock.

If you know what type of stone you want, you could also convo them and Caren can help you source a stone. But if you are particular about what you want in a stone, it might be better to just send them your own stone to set.

Hope that helps!

 

[kama_s]

Thank you so much for your input, SandyandIsaac. I messaged DanielM to ask if my stone needs to be 6mm to fit the stock halo setting, or if I can pay extra to get it custom made to my stone - so let's see what he says.

I'm loving this spess from Barry: http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=139&idproduct=2901, but it clocks in at 6.3mm.

What do you (or anyone else) think about this stone?

 

[texaskj]

kama, another thing to consider is the liability on your vs. their stone. There's also the mailing cost and worry factor.

 

[FrekeChild]

Kama-

I have done both. They used their stones for: my blue sapphire eternity bezel band, a couple of their diamonds (earring drops), two amethyst sliding bezel pendants. I've used my own stones for everything else. In my next two projects they will be using their stones--diamonds for one project (along with one of my own stones) and pink sapphires for another project.

I haven't had any complaints.

 

[natascha]

I am pretty much a novice regarding stones but I do have an amethyst pendant from DanielM, it's the rainbow bezel with milgrain that they show in their shop. Both color and cut were quite nice on that one. The purple was intense with mostly red flash and a bit of blue flash and the cut was better than other stones I have bought from ajsgems, multicolour and Tan and those from jewlery I have bought already set.

Hope that helps.

 

[kama_s]

Thank you so much for the advice, ladies. I am leaning towards using one of their stones - I gave them a description of the kind of stone I'd like to put in this setting and hopefully they might have something in stock.

I am also contemplating whether I should go custom and have a bigger stone set. Their stones are 6mm, but I think I'd like over 7mm on my neck. Any suggestions on this?

 

[natascha]

Go with your gut feeling. The 6mm is a nice everyday detail but it does not really draw the eye or make a statement, at least in my opinion. I have the 6mm which I love wearing and have ordered a custom bezel for a 3ct rhodolite garnet. I don't really think I would buy more 6mm except for diamonds, in gemstones I guess I prefer a bit more size.